Sheila Metzner - Fine Art Photography Gallery

Notes on SUPER HEROES

Sheila Metzner was the self-described "dark horse" of the small group of photographers given unlimited access to the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. Known for her fashion, still life, and landscape photographs, Metzner was a novice to sports. But she soon realized that these fast-moving humans were no less predictable than the constantly changing landscapes she'd spent years capturing on film. "I thought this would be a difficult assignment," says Metzner. "It wasn't. I never stopped shooting." She describes the experience:

"I was looking for superheroes. My camera was on the man or woman striving to do his or her personal best. There was no way to predict the outcome. I lost all interest in winner or loser, as each person's physical and mental performance became a concentration on perfection. They were exceptional, trained, different, extraordinary. The timing, the judging, none of that mattered to me. Each one crossed boundaries. I was continually amazed and honored to be in their presence. Decisions on whether to study their faces or capture their action were difficult since every element was so fascinating. It was a privilege to be able to be there to document history, one of the greatest experiences of my life."